The rate at which mobile subscribers are signing up for NFC-based services in Singapore is “slow”, according to a report in the Straits Times.

Since last August about 15,000 users have upgraded to NFC-based SIM cards that enable mobile payments, sources told the publication.

Singapore has adopted a model whereby the country’s three mobile operators – SingTel, M1 and Starhub – have built a shared NFC infrastructure with partners in a government-backed approach.

Although the underlying infrastructure is shared, the operators offer competitive retail services which they launched last summer.

Of the 15,000 figure, around half paid to upgrade their SIM cards to NFC, while the rest were given the cards as part of promotions.

The report also said many consumers are waiting for NFC-based payments on public transport before upgrading to the technology.

Singapore’s mobile market has about eight million mobile subscribers.

Another report last week also cited light take-up of the service to date.

Separately, Starhub has announced that C-Sam has update its Smartwallet mobile app so that users can purchase cinema tickets.

The update will enable customers to buy tickets for Shaw Theatres with their NFC-enabled smartphones and then redeem the tickets by tapping a contactless reader at the cinema.